September 15, 2011

Patton Boggs Tops in Foreign Country Lobbying

Updated Sept. 16

Patton Boggs was registered to advocate for more foreign countries or entities than any other firm or individual during the last six months of 2010, according to a Justice Department report sent to Congress this month.

The law firm represented 17 foreign organizations from 15 countries during that time period, the DOJ report shows. Patton received $3.4 million during that period for its advocacy on behalf of foreign entities. More than three dozen Patton attorneys and other advocates were registered to lobby for foreign governments or groups during that time. The list includes Thomas Boggs Jr. and former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.).

The governments of Nigeria, Cyprus and Qatar were the highest paying clients.

A theme emerges. Most of the lobbying work concerned the U.S. relationship with the countries.

For example, Nigeria gave Patton $701,272 for the firm’s advocacy work related to the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship, according to the DOJ report. Cyprus paid the firm $620,081 for lobbying regarding U.S.-Cyprus relations. Qatar paid Patton $441,587 for legal advice and advocacy efforts concerning the U.S.-Qatar relationship.

The firm also received more than $100,000 for its advocacy work on behalf of Albania, Cameroon, China, Ecuador, Korea and Sri Lanka.

"International relations and related issues have long been a staple of our practice and we are delighted that a significant number of sovereign entities, apparently more than at any other firm, seek our advice and counsel in dealing with issues involving their relationship with the U.S. Government," Newberry said in a statement.